“Is she your mate?” Winston blurted out as he eyed the girl.
Hunter coughed and shook his head at Winston. “Umm, not exactly. But she is someone important to me. She’s my partner.” Hunter smiled down at Jin as he used the same word that she’d used to describe their relationship.
“Look, all I need to know is if she’s off limits or not.” Winston's lips curled up as he more openly looked the girl over.
Hunter sighed. “Sorry about him. He really is harmless, I promise. All these people you see in front of you right now are people I trust with my life. You can trust them, too.”
Jin’s gaze lifted to his and she gave him a soft smile.
Sam stood up with Renee and the two of them walked over to greet Jin. “If you’re important to Hunter, then you’re important to us. I’m Sam, and this is Renee. You can come to us for anything.”
Jin regarded the two of them, then looked over the others in the room. They all looked very warm and nice. All of them except for one. The girl with the blonde hair had an unwelcoming gaze. And the large grumpy bear at her side was also giving her icy glares.
“Renee, see if you or Susan here have any clothes that will fit her. Just until I can buy new clothes for her.” Hunter looked between the two girls. He caught the look from Susan and immediately focused on her. He raised a brow, unsure why she would be looking at Jin that way. He watched her straighten up and nod, wiping the disdainful look from her face. “Anyway, is there any cake left? I promised Jin a slice.”
“Yes, there is,” Adam said, walking into the kitchen and lifting up a large, chocolate-frosted cake. “Who’s hungry?” He beamed as he took another step forward. He then tripped over a chair leg, sending the cake flying. Before anyone could react, the cake suddenly stopped, floating in the air.
Jin giggled. “Well, that would have been such a waste.” She motioned with her hand, and the cake rested back on the tray on Adam’s hand.
“Nice save, Jin! That’s the first thing you’re teaching me.” Hunter squeezed her shoulders.
“Wait. What was that?” Sam asked with an awestruck grin.
“Jin here can control air, and now, because of her, I can too.” Hunter grinned with pride.
“Oh, are you a summon, like Seraphina and Leviathan?” Renee asked.
“Not quite like them,” Jin replied quietly.
“No, she is a wind demon.” Chasen snorted and folded his arms.
CHAPTER FIVE
Hunter turned his head and shot Chasen a look before looking back over his friends. Their eyes were wide, and they looked very uncertain. Hunter felt the tiny body next to him shift herself deeper in his side. She wanted to be accepted. When she’d first brought up that she was a demon and then again now, she seemed almost ashamed of who she was. Hunter nudged her side gently. Her green gems flicked up at him and he gave her a reassuring smile.
“We are not a pack that discriminates here. Never have been, and we will not be starting now. Jin is welcome here. I won’t tolerate any mistreatment, especially from any of you.” Hunter’s alpha voice sounded out to his close pack members. He still would need to address the rest of the pack, but these were those he was closest to, and he expected them to welcome Jin just as she was.
Sam noticed the reaction of the tiny girl and immediately smiled at her. “You won’t be mistreated here.”
“That’s right. Besides, we need more girls around here.” Renee’s sweet voice rang out, coaxing a timid smile from Jin.
“How about that cake, then? Hold the five second rule, thanks to Jin.” Adam winked at her and set the cake down on the table. If his alpha was okay with the girl, then he was, too.
“Come on, Jin. Let’s have a slice and I’ll introduce you to everyone.” Hunter flashed her a bright, welcoming smile.
Chasen leaned back against the wall as their little group exchanged stories and interacted with Jin. He watched as she would laugh and join in the conversation with everyone. A quiet sigh escaped his nose. He was bothered by this girl. She hid behind a smile and a laugh, but he recognized what she was doing. How could he not? His own sister Reiya did the same thing. But Jin’s sadness felt more wounded and hidden. She was better at hiding things than his sister. And secrets, especially with a stranger, made him nervous. What was her story?
Chasen pushed off from the wall and strode over to the table. He took the empty chair next to Jin and sat beside her.
Jin slid him a piece of cake and tilted her head to him. He grabbed the plate, pulled it in front of him, and slowly began to fork at the dessert.
“Hmm, let me see. There’s another room on the second floor at the far end that’s empty. We can make that your room, Jin. You can sleep there tonight,” Hunter said as he thoughtfully stabbed at his cake.
“No,” Chasen said tersely. “She’s sleeping in my room tonight.” He continued to eat his cake casually and then glanced up, noticing the silence. All eyes were on him. Winston and Adam had smirks playing on their lips and gave him a couple of eyebrow raises.
Jin giggled. “So, you really were jealous of that kiss earlier?” Chasen grunted and looked at her with unamused eyes.
Sam snorted milk out of his nose and started coughing. “K-k-kiss?”
